Potato-digging machine.



0. H. OLAPLIN.

POTATO DIGGING MACHINE.

APPLICATION rum) NOV. 20, 1909.

9%,432, Patented Dec. 27, 1910.

, zzzzrazzzm' atto I 679 /1/1 OTTQ H. CLAFLIN, 0F BER/EA, OHIO.

POTATO-IDIGGING MACHINE.

crease.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 20, 1909.

Patented Dec. 27, 1910. Serial No. 529,059.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Orro H. OLAFLIN, a citizen of the United States, resident of Berea, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Potato-Digging Machines, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

This invention relates to an improvement in potato-digging machines, and more particularly to means which, while exceedingly simple, will measurably facilitate the ascent of material, and consonantly the effec tual operation of the machine.

Under all the varying conditions and contingencies of potato harvesting, the proper handling of the material directly after its inception as draft must always be one of the prime contributors to a uniform success. Accordingly, a large number of difieri'ng constructions have been embodied in machines of this general character, each looking toward the attainment of a universal adaptability. Specifically, the two agents which operate as a hindrance to such a universal adaptability are the frequently unexpected changes in the character of the soil,

and the unavoidable entwining of the vines. A heavy, soggy, and more or less lumpy soil requires a more violent handling than is necessary in the case of soil of a dry and mellow consistency, whereas the vines are less liable to obstruct the interaction of the parts in the one case than in the other. Heretofore, in so far as I am aware, it has been the endeavor to obviate these several difliculties by means of different modes of adjustment of the shovel with relation to the elevating mechanism. This has been ineffectual, chiefly because the adjustment of the shovel for such a purpose necessitated in so far a disregard of the angle or depth at which the furrow would be out.

My invention establishes between the shovel, elevator and novel means, a con junctive relation which, while overcoming all the difficulties, is entirely free from any accompanying disadvantages occasioned by any dependent adjustment of the shovel alone.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, said invention, then, consists of means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawingand the following description set forth in detail one means of carrying out my invention, the disclosed means, however, constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be applied.

In said annexed drawing: Figure l is a side elevation of my machine, Fig. 2 a plan of the forward end thereof, Fig. 3 a. front view of the same, Fig. 4 a longitudinal section of the same, and Fig. 5 a similar View with the parts differently adjusted.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The machine comprises a main frame A, which is mounted at the rear on an axle b of the two wheels 13, and in front is suspended from ayoke a which is in turn indirectly supported by the front wheels B.

llixedly mounted upon the axle 6 just inside the hind wheels B are two gears D adapted to mesh behind with two gear pinions E, likewise fixedly mounted upon an axle c, which is suspended in any approved manner from the frame A. Just inside these gear pinions E upon their axle c and rotatable with'it, are two sprocket wheels F. Upon the forward end of the frame, somewhat below and just to the rear of the shovel C are two additional sprockets G, rotatable about an axle Mounted upon the sprockets F and G and extending upwardly and rearwardly from the shovel C is an elevator J. The latter consists of any approved construction, including usually, as shown, a pair of parallel endless conveyer chains, and a plurality of bars arranged at suitable intervals across said conveyor chain and connected thereto.

The axle g is suspended from the frame at the point mentioned by an adjustable yoke .l-l having a series of vertically alined openings It, whereby the sprockets G and hence the elevator J may be raised or lowered with relation to the shovel, to be then held in the chosen position by means of bolts h, as clearly shown in Fig.1. The reason for this adjustability is found in cases where a great difference in the character of the soil, such as between clay and sand, is met with, the transfer from the shovel to the elevator being more easily accomplished in the one case than in the other. The front end of the elevator should accordingly be lowered as in Fig. 5, when the machine is used to harvest potatoes grown in a generally mellow or sandy soil, whereas if it partakes of the nature of clay or is soggy and lumpy, the forward end of the elevator may be raised, as in Fig. 4. In the latter position it not only serves to break the soil from the potatoes more effectually, but is decidedly more apt to permit a continuous ascent of material.

Pivotally suspended from the yoke a, and in the drawing in advance of the shovel, as at a, are two divergent rods 7r. These extend rcarwardly to a point near the upper end of the shovel, where their ends form a bearing for a roller K. The latter is but slightly narrower than the width of the elevator, is adapted to rest normally and gravitationally upon the front edge thereof, and as nearly adjacent the upper edge 0 of the shovel as possible. During the operation of the machine, this roller will, of course, yield upon its pivot and be forced up by the material, as this ascends on the shovel to the elevator, as will be readily understood. The object of this roller is to supply, in the case of lighter or granular material, that slight pressure always necessary and frequently indispensable to effect the momentary purchase in turn calculated to start such material up along the elevator. The vines, especially when dry, are very troublesome in this respect, and heretofore have occasioned not only great annoyance, but necessitated considerable delay at frequent intervals, during which the operator had to disentangle them from the operative parts of the machine. At best, they will invariably jam at the top of the shovel, to likewise hinder, as previously mentioned, the continuous ascent of material.

It will be not-ed that the two features of this invention present in combination a joint and contributory operation. They concur in purpose toward the accomplishment of a single object, namely, the assured continuity of ascent to the sitting and shaking mechanism positioned above. This ready adaptation to meet difierent conditions in so far contributes to heighten the serviceableness by lessening the probability of a jam in material, with its resultant clogging of parts.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim therefor and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a potato-digging machine, the combination of a frame, a conveyer mounted for movement thereon, and a roller suspended from said frame and gravitationally resting upon the front edge of said conveyer to accomplish the ascent of material.

2. In a potato-digging machine, the combination of a frame, a shovel fixed to the forward end of said frame, a conveyer mounted for movement adjacent said shovel, and a roller gravitationally resting upon the front edge of said conveyer to accomplish the ascent of material.

3. In a potato digging machine, the combination of a frame, a shovel fixed to the forward end of said frame, a conveyer mounted for movement above said shovel, adjustable means for raising and lowering the forward end of said conveyer with re lation to the shovel, and a roller pivotally suspended in advance of and normally resting upon the forward end of said conveyer, for the purpose specified.

Signed by me, this 19th day of November,

OTTO H. CLAFLIN. Attested by:

HERTA O. GENDER, CUn'r B. MUELLER. 

